Label-turning device

ABSTRACT

A label pickup assembly for removing labels from a labelprinting machine and affixing the label on a prewrapped package at a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the label-printing machine, the assembly including a vacuum pickup tube rotatable through 180* to pick up a label from the printing machine and move the label to a transfer position, a vacuum nozzle rotatably supported on the pickup tube and having a cam follower positioned to engage a downwardly inclined cam on the downward motion of the pickup tube to the transfer position to rotate the label through a predetermined angle and a label pickup pad to remove the label from the vacuum nozzle at the transfer position and affix the label to the prewrapped package.

United States Patent [72] Inventors JamesP.Navin Racine; Chester D.Matteucci, Sturtevant, both of Wis. [211 App]. No. 880,590 [22] FiledNov. 28, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 26, 1971 [73] Assignee SturtevantIndustries, Inc.

Sturtevant, Wis.

[54] LABEL-TURNING DEVICE 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 156/571, 156/360, 156/566, 156/572 [51] Int. Cl B65c1/02,B65c 9/14, B65c 9/28 [50] Field of Search 156/360, 566,571,572

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,264,161 8/1966 Stremke156/360 WU/ nt 74 w lllillll ifl l Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. BorcheltAssistant Examiner-James M. Hanley Atlorney-James E. Nilles ABSTRACT: Alabel pickup assembly for removing labels from a label-printing machineand affixing the label on a prewrapped package at a different angularrelation to the package than when picked up from the label-printingmachine, the assembly including a vacuum pickup tube rotatable through180 to pick up a label from the printing machine and move the label to atransfer position, a vacuum nozzle rotatably supported on the pickuptube and having a cam follower positioned to engage a downwardlyinclined cam on the downward motion of the pickup tube to the transferposition to rotate the label through a predetermined angle and a labelpickup pad to remove the label from the vacuum nozzle at the transferposition and affix the label to the prewrapped package.

LABEL-TURNING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatic weighing andlabeling machines of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,079, issuedon Mar. 5, 1968 and entitled "Automatic Label Applying Machine"generally include a scale for weighing a prewrapped package, alabelprinting device to record the weight of the package and to printthe weight onto a label which is discharged into a chute, a conveyor formoving the prewrapped and weighted package from the scale to a positionadjacent the label-printing machine and a label pickup assembly forremoving labels from the chute of the label-printing machine andaffixing the label to the prewrapped package. The label is generallydischarged into the chute in the label-printing machine with the printedsubject matter on the label face down and its longitudinal axistransverse to the longitudinal axis of the package. The label is affixedto the package at an angle which depends on the motion of the labelpickup nozzle as shown in the above patent and also U.S. Pat. No.3,264,161, issued on Aug. 2, I966 and entitled Automatic LabellingMachines." In many instances, it is desirable to rotate the label to adifferent angle prior to affixing the label to the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The label pickup assembly disclosed herein isincorporated in a machine as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,079 and isan improvement thereof making it possible to affix the label selectivelyat any one of a number of different positions on the package. The labelpickup assembly includes a vacuum tube for removing the label from alabel-printing machine and a vacuum pad for transferring the label to apackage. A vacuum pickup nozzle is mounted for rotary motion on thelabel pickup tube and includes a cam follower which is operativelyconnected to the nozzle and is positioned to engage a downwardlyinclined cam surface to rotate the label to the desired angle prior totransfer to the pickup pad. The cam surface can be readily adjusted torotate the label through any angle and in any direction.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willappear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aportion of a package weighing and labeling machine showing the improvedlabel pickup assembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the label pickup assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the label pickup head, but on anenlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing thespring for biasing the pickup nozzle to the initial position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the label pickup head and cam arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified label pickup assembly;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a modified labelpickup head;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the vacuumconnection to the nozzle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the nozzle stem of FIGS. 6 through 8,but on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 10 is a view of the C-shaped member, as shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The label pickup assembly 10 ofthis invention is incorporated in a prewrapped package weighing andlabeling machine of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,372,079. Thesemachines generally include a scale (not shown) for weighing the package,a label-printing machine 12 mounted on a frame I4 and a conveyor system16. Packages I8 are carried by the conveyor system 116 to a positionopposite the label-printing machine 12 where labels 20 are picked upfrom a chute 22 on the label-printing machine and affixed to the package18 by means of the label pickup assembly 10.

In accordance with the invention, the label pickup assembly 10 includesmeans for removing the labels 20 from the chute 22 and turning the labelover, means for rotating the label through a predetermined angle, andmeans for transferring the labels to the prewrapped packages 18. Thelabels 20 are picked up or removed from the chute 22 by means of avacuum tube 24 which is secured to a cylindrical member 25 mounted forrotation on the frame 14. The member 25 is oscillated in the frame torotate the vacuum tube 24 through l to turn the label over as describedin the aforementioned patent. The vacuum tube 24 is rotated between aposition where the end of the vacuum tube overhangs the chute 22 to pickup a label to a position where the label 20 is turned over and held fortransfer. A vacuum is drawn in the tube to pick up and hold the labeluntil transfer.

The labels 20 are rotated through a predetermined angle by means of aturning or rotating device 26 which is mounted on the end of the vacuumtube 24 and a cam 25 mounted on the frame 14. More particularly, theturning device 26 includes a vacuum head or block 28 having a centralopening 30 and a threaded opening 32 communicating with central opening30. The head 28 is mounted on a threaded section 36 provided on the endof the vacuum tube 24 and is locked on the tube 24 by means of a locknut 38. A vacuum nozzle 40 is supported for rotary motion in the head 28by means of a cylindrical member or barrel 42 positioned in the opening30. The vacuum nozzle 40 includes an axial opening 58 and a threadedsection 56.

The barrel 42 is supported for rotary motion in the opening 30 by meansof a bushing 44 which is press fitted into the opening 30 and includes aport 34 connecting the opening 30 in the head 28 to the threaded opening32. The barrel 42 includes a flange 46 and a threaded central opening 50connected to an annular groove 52 in the outer surface of the bar-- relby ports 54. An arcuate groove 55 is provided around the lower portion62 of the barrel. The barrel 42 is inserted into the opening 30 untilflange 46 rests on a thrust bearing or washer 48 and is retained in theopening in the head by means of a cap 60 secured to the lower portion 62by a setscrew 64. A space 66 is provided between the cap 60 and theshank 62.

The rotary motion of the nozzle 40 is limited by means of a stop pin 78secured to the head 28 and a stop member 70 secured to the cap 60. Thenozzle 40, barrel 42 and cap 60 are biased to an initial position withthe stop member 70 abutting the stop pin 78 by means of a spring 72provided within the space 66 in the cap and connected to a fixed pin 74in the bushing 44 and a pin 76 secured to the cap. The spring 72 isseated in the groove 55 in the lower portion 62 of the barrel 42.

The nozzle 40 is rotated by means of a cam follower 73 secured to thecap 60 by a bolt 74. The cam follower 73 is positioned to engage the camsurface 80 on cam 25 which is inclined downwardly in an arcuate patharound the end of the vacuum tube 24. When the vacuum tube 24 is rotatedfrom the pickup position to the transfer position, the cam follower 73will engage the cam surface 80 forcing the nozzle 40, cap 60 and barrel42 to rotate as a unit against the bias of the spring 72. On returnmotion of the vacuum tube 24 to the pickup position, spring 72 willrotate the nozzle until the stop member 70 engages the fixed stop pin78. The nozzle 40 can be rotated in either direction depending; on theposition of the cam 25. In the disclosed embodiment the label is turnedthrough however, the amount of rotation can also be adjusted to anyangular relationship.

After the vacuum tube 24 reaches the transfer position and the label hasbeen turned to the desired angle, the label is transferred to thepackage by means of a pickup pad 90 mounted on a pickup arm 92. Themotion of the pickup arm is substantially the same as described in US.Pat. No. 3,372,079.

The vacuum system used to provide a vacuum in the pickup tube, nozzle 40and pickup pan is essentially the same as described in the US. Pat. No.3,372,079. The vacuum is drawn in the nozzle 40 through port 34 inbushing 44, ports 54 in barrel 42 and opening 58 in nozzle 40. Seals canbe used to seal the vacuum passage, however, the fittings between thebarrel and bushing are tight enough to assure an adequate vacuum to holdthe labels.

ln FIGS. 6 through a modified turning or rotating device 100 is shownmounted on the end of the vacuum tube 24 and is used to rotate thelabels in either direction to any angle prior to transfer to the pickuppad 90. Tile turning device 100 includes ahead or block 102 having acentral aperture 104 and a port 106 having a threaded section 108 formounting the block 102 on the threaded section 36 of the vacuum tube 24.A nozzle 110 is supported for axial and rotary movement in the opening104 by means of a barrel or stem 112. The nozzle 110 has a centralaperture 114, a radial flange 1 16 and a lower threaded section 118. Thebarrel 112 has a radial flange 120 and a central bore 122 having athreaded portion 124. The barrel 112 is secured to the nozzle 110 byinserting the barrel 112 into the opening 104 and screwing the nozzle110 into the threaded portion 124 in the bore 122. The flange 116 isbiased into engagement with the head 102 by means of a compressionspring 126 positioned between the head 102 and the flange 120.

Means are provided for rotating the barrel 112 and nozzle 110 on axialmovement of the barrel 112 relative to the head 102. Such means is inthe form of a pair of grooves 132 provided in the surface of the barrel112 and a pair of cam followers 136 and 138 positioned in apertures 140and 142 in the block 102. The grooves 132 and 134 crisscross on one sideof the barrel and are downwardly inclined. Each of the grooves extendsaround approximately 180 of the barrel. The nozzle can therefore berotated through a full turn, 180 in each direction. Shallow grooves 150extend axially downward on diametrically opposite sides of the barreland are narrower than grooves 132 and 134.

The cam followers 136 and 138 are moved simultaneously with respect tothe barrel by means of a C-shaped member 146 as seen in FIG. 10. Each ofthe cam followers 136 and 138 includes a small point 148 which arepositioned to engage the axially extending shallow grooves 150 providedon the opposite sides of the barrel 112. The C-shaped member is movablefrom an intermediate position where both cam followers 136 and 138 aredisengaged from grooves 132 and 134 to positions where one or the otherof the cam followers is positioned to engage one or the other of thegrooves 132 and 134. The grooves 132 and 134 are deep enough to allowsufiicient clearance for the small points 148. The C-shaped member 146can be positively located in the intermediate position by means of thespring-loaded balls 152 provided on the cam followers 136 and 138 whichengage detents 152a in head 102.

If the nozzle is to be rotated clockwise, cam follower 136 is pushedinto the groove 132 in the stem and cam 138 and the corresponding point148 will be moved simultaneously out of the path of motion of thebarrel. When the barrel is moved axially in the opening 104 in the head102 the cam follower 136 will bear against the downwardly inclinedsurface or edge of the groove 132 rotating the barrel clockwise.

If the stem is to be rotated counterclockwise, the C-shaped member ismoved in the opposite direction pushing the cam follower 138 into thegroove 134 and moving cam follower 136 and the corresponding point 148out of the path of motion of the barrel 112. When the barrel is movedaxially in the opening 104, the cam follower 138 will bear against thegroove 134 causing the barrel to rotate counterclockwise.

The nozzle 110 and barrel 112 is retained in the same angular relationto the head 102 when the C-shaped member 146 is in the intermediateposition due to the engagement of the small points 148 with the axialgrooves 150. MOre particularly and referring to FIG. 8, it should benoted that in the intermediate position, both of the points 148 arealigned with the narrow shallow grooves 150. On axial movement of thebarrel 112 into the bore 104, the points 148 will engage the groovesholding the barrel in a fixed relation to the head 102.

Means are provided to maintain vacuum communication between the vacuumtube 24 and the nozzle 110. Such means is in the form of a groove 154provided in the outer surface of the barrel 112 and a port 156. Oneportion of the groove 154 is symmetrical with respect to the groove 132and the other portion is symmetrical with respect to the groove 134.Therefore, on rotation of the barrel 112 in either direction, the vacuumtube 24 will always be in communication with the groove 154. On axialmovement of the barrel 112, vacuum communication is maintained by meansof a groove 158 provided in the surface of the barrel 1 12. The fit ofthe barrel 1 12 in the bore 104 is sufficiently snug to maintain thevacuum in the nozzle. Seals can be provided at each end of the bore 104if the vacuum at the nozzle 110 is not sufficient to hold the label onthe nozzle.

The amount of rotary motion provided by the movement of the barrel 112into the bore 104 is controlled by means of an adjustable stop 160secured to the frame 14 by a bolt 162 positioned in a slot 164 in theframe 14. The stop 160 is positioned to engage the barrel 112 and ismoved up or down on the frame 14 to increase or decrease the amount ofrelative movement between the barrel 112 and head 102. Normally, thestop 160 will be positioned to produce 90 of rotation.

What is claimed is:

1. A label pickup assembly for removing labels having the glue side upfrom a label-printing machine and affixing the labels glue side downonto a package in a different angular relation to the package than whenpicked up from the labelprinting machine, said assembly including,

a label pickup arm for picking the label up from the printing machineand turning the label over for transfer to the package,

said pickup arm being rotated about a horizontal axis,

a pickup nozzle mounted for rotary motion on the outer end of said arm,

means for rotating said nozzle through a predetermined angle during themovement of the label from the printing machine to the point oftransfer, said means including a downwardly inclined arcuate cam and acam follower mounted on said nozzle and positioned to engage said cam,and

means for removing the label from said nozzle at the point of transferand affixing the label to a prewrapped package.

2. A label pickup assembly for picking up labels from a label printingmachine and affixing the labels onto a package in a different angularrelation to the package than when picked up from the label-printingmachine, said assembly including,

a label pickup arm for picking up and turning the label over fortransfer to the package,

a head mounted on said pickup arm and having a central opening,

a barrel mounted for rotary motion in said central opening and having anaxial opening,

a nozzle mounted in said axial opening in said barrel,

means for biasing said barrel and nozzle to an initial position forpicking up labels,

a cam operatively associated with said barrel to rotate said barrel andnozzle through a predetermined angle as said nozzle is moved to thetransfer position, and

means for removing the label from said nozzle at the point of transferand affixing the label to a prewrapped package.

3. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam isprovided on said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in saidhead to engage said cam.

4. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said camcomprises two grooves, each extending around l80 of said barrel andincluding a cam follower positioned in said head to engage each of saidgrooves.

5. The label pickup assembly according to claim 4 including means formoving said cam followers simultaneously from an intermediate positionto positions where one or the other of said cam followers is positionedin one of said grooves.

6. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said barrel ismoveable axially in said head and including means for adjusting theamount of axial movement of the barrel in said head.

7. The combination of a label-printing machine, a conveyor forintermittently moving prewrapped packages to a predetermined positionwith respect to the printing machine,

and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printingmachine and afi'rxing the labels at a predetermined angle to thepackage, said assembly including,

a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup position to atransfer position,

a label-rotating device supported in said pickup tube and including abarrel,

means for rotating said barrel on movement of said pickup tube from saidpickup position to said transfer position, said rotating means includinga pair of crisscrossed grooves on said barrel and a pair of axiallymovable cam followers mounted in said head for movement into engagementwith said groove, and

for intermittently moving prewrapped packages with respect 5 to theprinting machine,

and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printingmachine and affixing the labels at a predeter' mined angle to thepackage, said assembly including,

a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup position to atransfer position,

a head mounted on said pickup tube and having a central aperture incommunication with said vacuum tube,

a barrel mounted for rotary motion in the central aperture of said headand having an axial opening in communication with said vacuum tube,

a vacuum nozzle mounted in said axial opening,

a fixed cam having a downwardly inclined cam surface and a cam followerpositioned to engage said cam surface to rotate said barrel and nozzleon movement of said pickup tube to the transfer position and a labelpickup pad to transfer labels from said nozzle at the transfer positionto the package.

9. The combination according to claim 8 including a spring connected tosaid barrel to bias said barrel :and nozzle to an initial pickupposition.

2. A label pickup assembly for picking up labels from a label printingmachine and affixing the labels onto a package in a different angularrelation to the package than when picked up from the label-printingmachine, said assembly including, a label pickup arm for picking up andturning the label over for transfer to the package, a head mounted onsaid pickup arm and having a central opening, a barrel mounted forrotary motion in said central opening and having an axial opening, anozzle mounted in said axial opening in said barrel, means for biasingsaid barrel and nozzle to an initial position for picking up labels, acam operatively associated with said barrel to rotate said barrel andnozzle through a predetermined angle as said nozzle is moved to thetransfer position, and means for removing the label from said nozzle atthe point of transfer and affixing the label to a prewrapped package. 3.The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam isprovided on said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in saidhead to engage said cam.
 4. The label pickup assembly according to claim2 wherein said cam comprises two grooves, each extending around 180* ofsaid barrel and including a cam follower positioned in said head toengage each of said grooves.
 5. The label pickup assembly according toclaim 4 including means for moving said cam followers simultaneouslyfrom an intermediate position to positions where one or the other ofsaid cam followers is positioned in one of said grooves.
 6. The labelpickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said barrel is moveableaxially in said head and including means for adjusting the amount ofaxial movement of the barrel in said head.
 7. The combination of alabel-printing machine, a conveyor for intermittently moving prewrappedpackages to a predetermined position with respect to the printingmachine, and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from saidprinting machine and affixing the labels at a predetermined angle to thepackage, said assembly including, a vacuum actuated pickup tube movablefrom a pickup position to a transfer position, a label-rotating devicesupported in said pickup tube and including a barrel, means for rotatingsaid barrel on movement of said pickup tube from said pickup position tosaid transfer position, said rotating means including a pair ofcrisscrossed grooves on said barrel and a pair of axially movable camfollowers mounted in said head for movement into engagement with saidgroove, and a label pickup pad to transfer labels from said rotatingdevice at the transfer position to the package.
 8. The combination of alabel printing machine, a conveyor for intermittently moving prewrappedpackages with respect to the printing machine, and a label pickupassembly for picking up labels from said printing machine and affixingthe labels at a predetermined angle to the package, said assemblyincluding, a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup positionto a transfer position, a head mounted on said pickup tube and having acentral aperture in communication with said vacuum tube, a barrelmounted for rotary motion in the central aperture of said head andhaving an axial opening in communication with said vacuum tube, a vacuumnozzle mounted in said axial opening, a fixed cam having a downwardlyinclined cam surface and a cam follower positioned to engage said camsurface to rotate said barrel and nozzle on movement of said pickup tubeto the transfer position and a label pickup pad to transfer labels fromsaid nozzle at the transfer position to the package.
 9. The combinationaccording to claim 8 including a spring connected to said barrel to biassaid barrel and nozzle to an initial pickup position.